Vinyl pressings
by First Choice · 1974
The Player was first pressed on vinyl in 1974. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
11 pressings came out in 1974, the album's first year, in 4 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
PG-1502-SA BEST MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA. ΔMA-Side Runout Etching
PG-1502-SB BEST MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA. ΔMB-Side Runout Etching
1502 SA BWA-Side Label
1502 SB BWB-Side Label
PG-1502-SA 19631 (1) AMRunoff Side 1
PG-1502-SB 19631-X (2) AMRunoff Side 2
PG-1502-SA BEST Mastered At Frankford Wayne / Phila ΔMSide 1
PG-1502-SB BEST Mastered At Frankford Wayne / Phila ΔMSide 1
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Canada | Philly Groove Records Incorporated PG 1502 / Bell Records PG 1502First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | France | Bell Records 2337 044First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Japan | Arista BLPO-1-ARFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | Japan | Arista BLPO-1-ARFirst yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | US | Philly Groove Records Incorporated PG 1502 / Philly Groove Records Incorporated 1502First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | Philly Groove Records Incorporated PG 1502 / Philly Groove Records Incorporated PG-1502First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | Philly Groove Records Incorporated PG 1502 / Philly Groove Records Incorporated R 120263LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition | LP, Album, Club Edition, Stereo · Club edition |
| 1974 | US | Philly Groove Records Incorporated PG 1502First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1974 | US | Philly Groove Records Incorporated PG 1502First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | Philly Groove Records Incorporated PG 1502First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1974 | US | Philly Groove Records Incorporated PG 1502 / Philly Groove Records Incorporated PG-1502First yearLP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| 1974 | US | Philly Groove Records Incorporated PG 1502First yearLP, Album, White Label | LP, Album, White Label |
| 1975 | Brazil | Bell Records 2308 111LP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1975 | Philippines | Arista PG 1502LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
14 vinyl pressings of The Player are listed here, from 6 countries, released between 1974 and 1975.
The earliest pressings are from 1974, in US, Canada, France, Japan. One of them is Philly Groove Records Incorporated PG 1502.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PG 1502, 2337 044, BLPO-1-AR) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, PG-1502-SA BEST MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA. ΔM and PG-1502-SB BEST MASTERING BY FRANKFORD/WAYNE PHILA. ΔM. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
